This delicious and easy homemade gluten free chili is not only low carb, but it packs quite the flavor! Uses common pantry staples and has easy substitutions!
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Gluten Free Chili
This is one of my favorite recipes that I’ve made in a LONG TIME! This gluten free chili is not only super simple, but the flavor is out of this world!
Chili is a family favorite at my house. Even my 6 year old who is incredibly picky enjoys this particular chili recipe. He doesn’t even bother picking things out and simply scoops up big bites and loves it!
Now, I’ll admit that chili has never been high on my list. Mainly because I cannot stand tomatoes. I don’t mind tomato sauce, but chunks of tomatoes are just not something I want to eat. I know, I’m weird. Having said that though, the tomato chunks in this chili are so perfect that I don’t even mind them at all!
What is fabulous about this recipe is that you can make so many substitutions depending on what you have on hand and what you can find in the store. Keep on reading for a substitution discussion!
How to Make Gluten Free Chili
Add all ingredients except ground beef and ground sausage to a crockpot and mix well. Cook on low for 3 hours.
At the 3 hour mark (ish), add ground beef to a large frying pan and brown over medium-high heat. Add browned ground beef to the crockpot.
In the same frying pan, add ground sausage and brown as well. Add ground sausage to the crockpot and mix it all together.
Serve immediately or continue cooking for up to 30 minutes.
Pro Tip
Don’t let it cook for too much longer after putting in the cooked meat because the meat will get chalky.
What Substitutions Can I Make?
You can substitute pretty much every ingredient for what you have on hand!
Here are some ideas:
Beans
Here is where you can REALLY get creative! The best beans to use are canned, soft, cooked beans. But not like refried beans kind of soft. Meaning, they should still have a shape.
Kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, red beans, chili beans, and even garbanzo beans are my favorite beans to play with!
I probably wouldn’t suggest green or yellow beans!
Tomatoes
Tomato sauce is kind of required in this gluten free chili recipe. But you don’t need it pre-made. You can make tomato sauce by mixing tomato paste and water. The suggested ratios are all over the board. It depends on if you want it thick or more watery.
I would start with a 2:1 ratio and move the water up or down from there. 2 parts water to 1 part tomato paste.
Meat
I like to choose different kinds of meat. The best are ground beef combined with ground sausage. The ground sausage adds a unique flavor. You’ll want 3 pounds of meat.
You can mix and match any of the following: ground beef, ground turkey, ground sausage, ground chicken, ground bison.
Spices
My favorite chili spice is this one on Amazon or in many grocery stores. It is organic, gluten free and just simply tasty!
Instead of buying a chili flavor packet, you can throw your own spices in such as chili powder, cayenne, smoked paprika, crushed red peppers, cumin and salt. Maybe even a touch of oregano and basil! These basic spices will give you a good flavor.
Can I Freeze Gluten Free Chili?
You certainly can! I think the best way to do this is to 1) Fully make the chili, 2) as soon as you add in the meat, stir and cool, 3) once fully cooled, seal in an airtight (with air removed) container and freeze!
When you want to eat it, thaw it, and warm up in a crockpot or on the stove. Do not let it overcook as the meat will get chalky!
Do My Bean Have to be Cooked?
Yes, you do need to start with cooked beans. Either cook them yourself first or use canned beans.
What to Eat with Gluten Free Chili
My favorite thing to eat with gluten free bread is keto buns or keto rolls. I rip them up and dip them in my chili, just like a soup!
Other Gluten Free Dinner Recipes
Instant Pot Gluten Free Lentil Soup
Scallops in Garlic Cream Sauce
Gluten Free Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 can 29 ounce tomato Sauce (or 4 cans of 8 ounce tomato sauce)
- 1 can 10 ounce rotel (or fire roasted tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 can 10 ounce pinto beans
- 1 can 10 ounce kidney beans
- 1 can 10 ounce black beans
- 1 can 10 ounce fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 packets gluten free chili seasoning
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 pound ground sausage
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except ground beef and ground sausage to a crockpot and mix well.
- Cook on low for 3 hours.
- At the 3 hour mark (ish), add ground beef to a large frying pan and brown over medium-high heat.
- Add browned ground beef to the crockpot.
- In the same frying pan, add ground sausage and brown as well.
- Add ground sausage to the crockpot and mix it all together.
- Serve immediately or continue cooking for up to 30 minutes.
- Don't let it cook for too much longer after putting in the cooked meat because the meat will get chalky.
Nutrition
Trina Krug is a Holistic Nutritionist, Integrative Health Coach and host of the Carbless Conversations Podcast. With a Master’s Degree in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, her single mission in life is to facilitate self-healing in herself and those around her through awareness, lifestyle shifts and low-carb eating. As a current Doctor of Science student, she continues her studies in functional nutrition.